Machine builders and end-users seeking to simplify safety relay selection and reduce component inventory and lifecycle costs will benefit from the new family of Allen-Bradley Guardmaster safety relays from Rockwell Automation. Designed to meet new global functional safety standards, such as EN ISO 13849-1, the new line of safety relays includes seven basic units capable of supporting a broad range of safety devices in a variety of applications, including single and multi-zone configurations.

“With the wide range of safety relay options available to today’s designers, selecting the right one to meet the specific demands of each application – and applicable standards – can pose a significant challenge,” said Camilo Aladro, global product manager of safety relays, Rockwell Automation. “The new Guardmasterfamily of safety relays helps simplify this task by delivering the functionality and flexibility for meeting most application and compliance demands, while reducing panel space requirements, eliminating hardware and simplifying installation and maintenance.

The new relay line features a patented, single-wire communication capability that helps eliminate the need for dual-channel connection between relays. Users can expand and cascade safety functions up to a SIL 3 rating using one single wire to connect devices allowing for a reduction in installation time and effort. In addition, “AND/OR” logic can be set via a rotary switch on the front of the relay, yielding a variety of configurations including regional and global e-stop architectures.

A universal input feature allows devices, such as safety interlock switches, emergency stop switches and safety mats, to use the same set of input terminals on the relay. This helps eliminate the need to employ a specific safety relay for a specific type of input device, helping simplify system design and reduce hardware costs.

The next generation Guardmaster safety line also features dual input modules, providing users with twice the functionality of a standard relay in a 22.5-mm housing while reducing wiring for faster commissioning. A single TÜV-approved rotary switch with internal redundancy eliminates the need for double switches, helping to speed configuration while addressing multiple functions, such as reset modes and time delays.